PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

When we dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima back
in 1945

80,000 people died instantly the rest thought
they were lucky to be alive.

But, after the bomb, radiation rained like it
had never rained before.

And it took 10 years for that black rain’s
effects to kill 200,000 more.

Sadako Sasaki was only two years old when we
dropped the bomb that day

And she was 12 when the black rain’s cancer took
her life away.

While Sadako and many others were losing
strength they would never regain

Strangers sent them the gift of senbazuru- 1000
paper cranes.

The crane in Japan and other cultures is a
symbol of long life

They were sent to ease the suffering, the
sickness and the strife.

Tradition states folding 1000 origami cranes
will make one’s life enchanted

When completed they’re given one wish to the
crane and that wish will be granted.

Sadako, whose 12 year old heart was so innocent
and pure

Immediately started folding paper cranes…her one
wish would be a cure.

She reached 1000 origami cranes then made a wish
to stay alive

But alas, her wish was never granted, she died
in 1955.

Sadako’s friends and classmates thought Sadako
would be thrilled

If they could find a way to remember every child the atom bombs killed.

Their excitement was infectious, soon many
people would lend a hand

And before they knew it the movement had spread
across the land.

2 ½ years after Sadako’s death with the money
her story created

The Children’s Peace Monument in Hiroshima was finally
dedicated.

On a giant pedestal sit’s a bronze statue of
Sadako, no longer in any pain

A sweet smile forever crosses her face as she
holds a paper crane.

But the story doesn’t end there because if you
listen you will hear

The silent voices of the 10 tons of cranes the
monument receives each year.

And today as war and enmity continue to show the
worst part of mankind

Look closely in their aftermath at the cranes
that are left behind.

You see, I believe a majority of people in this
world pray desperately for peace

Perhaps that’s why the number of cranes
continues to increase

So today I’ve started folding cranes for all
children and Sadako’s sake

You see, when I reach 1000, I have a wish to
make.

My wish will be that peace will come from a simple
origami crane

Then Sodako and all the children killed in wars
would not have died in vain.